Nickeil Alexander-Walker replaced Lonzo Ball in the starting lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans last night in a move that could be permanent.
Lonzo Ball sat out with an injury and will probably miss the final game against the Lakers as well, which will likely give NAW another chance as a starter.
Fans shouldn’t get too excited about NAW’s 30 point game against a shorthanded Warriors team but his play this season has made some wonder if he is the starter of the future and whether this team really needs Lonzo Ball.
Personally, I think one of the biggest missed opportunities of this season was not getting to see the two of them play much together, especially after it became clear that Eric Bledsoe was not the answer.
Injuries and inconsistency kept us from seeing what could be the Pelicans’ backcourt of the future.
With Lonzo Ball up for free agency and NAW still locked up for a few more seasons, it’s not only fair to ask which one of them the Pelicans should keep but after NAW’s strong finish, it is also fair to ask which one is going to be the better player in the future.
Both players are young, with Lonzo Ball being less than a year older. Neither player has been very consistent or durable, and both are considered high ceiling talent, so we’ll have to look at some other factors to evaluate who will be the better player in the future.
Will the New Orleans Pelicans keep both Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker? Which one will ultimately be the better player?
Let’s take a look.
New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander Walker’s defense
Both Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are big guards who can defend multiple spots.
Both are considered plus defenders, though Lonzo gets a lot more accolades in that department, largely because he has played more and is more versatile.
Lonzo leads in all of the traditional defensive stats like steals and blocks but also in the advanced stats like defensive win shares. He also wins the eye test, as we’ve seen Lonzo Ball lock up some of the best offensive players in the league.
Both players have been accused of taking plays off on the defensive end, and both still have some work to do, but Lonzo Ball is the better defender now and should be in the future as well, though I think it will be closer than some people might imagine.
Both of these guys could end up being “All-Defensive-type guards who can defend multiple spots and be smothering on the ball.
But Lonzo gets the edge due to his size and more versatile defensive game.
Edge: Lonzo Ball
Pelicans: Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on offense
Both Lonzo Ball and NAW have some big flaws in their offensive games.
Lonzo acts as if there is a force field around the 3-point line that he can’t penetrate and he has been reduced to standing around the arc most of the time even though he leads the team in touches.
His fans will blame the coach, the weather, the lighting and everything else that is not Lonzo Ball, but the truth is that he is just not aggressive enough taking the ball to the hoop, shoots less than a free throw per game, and is really just a 3-point shooting wing who can pass on the fast break.
NAW also has some big flaws, namely that his offensive game relies heavily on difficult shot making, which is not usually sustainable over long periods of time. When he is hitting these shots he looks amazing, but when he is not, he just looks like a guy taking bad shots.
NAW’s shot selection has improved this season but it is still something he will need to work on if he wants to be a starter.
Lonzo Ball is the better 3-point shooter, but that is about it, so I am going to give the edge to NAW, who has a much more versatile offensive game and has been a 20 point scorer out of the starting lineup this season.
Edge: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Pelicans: Lonzo Ball and Nickel Alexander-Walker’s intangibles
Intangibles are things outside of scoring and defense that might give one player the edge.
Lonzo Ball’s contract is certainly one of them, as he is reportedly seeking $20 million per season while NAW will make just $3.2 million next season.
Considering the Pelicans have a lot of holes to fill, that is a HUGE argument for keeping NAW and letting Lonzo Ball walk in free agency.
But there is something about Lonzo Ball that NAW just doesn’t have. He’s got the slick passing, the swagger and the ability to make the big play. He is also best friends with Zion Williamson and clearly has a good rapport with him.
NAW has some of these qualities too, but can he be a leader? Can Lonzo? Both players are fairly quiet, though I do feel like Lonzo inspires his teammates at times and definitely isn’t afraid of the spotlight.
I would give Lonzo the edge in intangibles, as he has an off-the-charts basketball I.Q. and has shown he can adapt to different roles.
Edge: Lonzo Ball
Even though NAW has had some good moments this season, I still firmly believe that Lonzo Ball will be the better player as long as he can add some more wrinkles to his offensive game.
That doesn’t mean the Pelicans should keep Lonzo but it should give them pause, especially considering that NAW has not proven he can be good for a whole season yet.
I’d love for the Pelicans to keep them both so we can finally see what a backcourt with Lonzo and NAW looks like.